PAN-SEARED SEA BASS IN TOMATO FENNEL BROTH

Pan-Seared Sea Bass in Tomato Fennel Broth image

Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network

Time 45m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/4 small fennel bulb, shaved thin
1 small onion , diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup white wine
2 cups fish stock or clam juice
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 cups sun-dried tomatoes
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 (6-ounce) sea bass fillets, with skin on
1 teaspoon ground fennel
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Grapeseed oil

Steps:

For the sauce: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, sweat the fennel, onions, and carrots in the olive oil. Cook until the vegetables are softened, 10 to 15 minutes. Next, deglaze with the white wine. Once the wine has reduced, add the stock and orange juice. Reduce the heat and allow the liquid to cook until it has reduced by half. Once reduced, add the tomatoes and garlic and allow the sauce to further simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and season. Remove saucepan from the heat, pour through a strainer, and return to the pan. Finish with the butter. Keep warm.
For the fish: Season the skin side of the fish fillets with the ground fennel, salt, and pepper, and then season the flesh side with salt and pepper.
In the oil in a nonstick saute pan over high heat until it reaches the smoking point. Reduce the heat and add the seasoned fish, skin side down, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, reduce the heat, and continue to cook for 5 to 6 minutes, carefully spooning the hot oil over the fish to keep the skin crisp. Once the fillet is cooked, remove from the pan and serve with the sauce.